I saw this film as part of the Rotterdam Film Festival 2012. It starts as a documentary as we know from Animal Planet et al, but extends later on to a much more interesting expedition into the beliefs of the natives. People like me who normally hate such documentaries, need to bite the bullet and be patient. It is worth it.
For example, when asked about the gods they believe in, the influence of western missionaries can be clearly noticed, but not to the extent that they abolished their ancient faiths altogether. They still believe in their own god Gumba, who created the earth and all things on it. But they believe also in Jesus Christ, his son. Because of the white have killed Jesus Christ, white people possess a power the Africans don't have. That's their explanation why they persist in calling him "Boss" and refuse to call him Michael, in spite of his efforts to let them use his proper name.
As an extra benefit we see interesting views on the rivers and the methods the locals developed to cross them. It can be anything from a simple canoe (even capable of getting a motor bike across the river) on one hand, and some sort of a ferry (even carries a loaded truck) on the other hand. Everything is powered by hand and takes its time, but it works.
Various funny moments illustrate the differences in backgrounds of the natives. For example when showing a drawing of the beast they are looking for, one bystander asks: Is this a photo or a drawing?? How can you draw an animal that you never have seen??
I noticed that the inhabitants seem reasonably fluent in the French language, though not all of them speak it very well hence need assistance from others. I assume that the film makers made a selection in order to keep the dialogs flowing.
This film is full of colorful moments. You can rest assured that the inhabitants are treated respectfully. Having traveled in these regions for 7 years, the expedition leader needs them to obtain information, and has no inclination whatsoever to make fun of them. The information he actually gets is full of contradictions, and heavily mixed with their beliefs and folklore. Superficially, the film looks like a chase for the monster of Loch Ness, but that is only the vehicle for an expedition into the minds and traditions of the local people.
For example, when asked about the gods they believe in, the influence of western missionaries can be clearly noticed, but not to the extent that they abolished their ancient faiths altogether. They still believe in their own god Gumba, who created the earth and all things on it. But they believe also in Jesus Christ, his son. Because of the white have killed Jesus Christ, white people possess a power the Africans don't have. That's their explanation why they persist in calling him "Boss" and refuse to call him Michael, in spite of his efforts to let them use his proper name.
As an extra benefit we see interesting views on the rivers and the methods the locals developed to cross them. It can be anything from a simple canoe (even capable of getting a motor bike across the river) on one hand, and some sort of a ferry (even carries a loaded truck) on the other hand. Everything is powered by hand and takes its time, but it works.
Various funny moments illustrate the differences in backgrounds of the natives. For example when showing a drawing of the beast they are looking for, one bystander asks: Is this a photo or a drawing?? How can you draw an animal that you never have seen??
I noticed that the inhabitants seem reasonably fluent in the French language, though not all of them speak it very well hence need assistance from others. I assume that the film makers made a selection in order to keep the dialogs flowing.
This film is full of colorful moments. You can rest assured that the inhabitants are treated respectfully. Having traveled in these regions for 7 years, the expedition leader needs them to obtain information, and has no inclination whatsoever to make fun of them. The information he actually gets is full of contradictions, and heavily mixed with their beliefs and folklore. Superficially, the film looks like a chase for the monster of Loch Ness, but that is only the vehicle for an expedition into the minds and traditions of the local people.
